'AGT' 's Simon Cowell Remembers Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski as 'Extraordinary Person' After Her Death

Photo: Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Simon Cowellis paying tribute to one of his favorite contestants onAmerica’s Got Talent. On Tuesday, one day after Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski’sdeathwas made public, Cowell honored the late singer on social media. She was 31. “Heart breaking news to hear about Nightbirde, she was an extraordinary person, so brave, so talented,” theAGTjudge and executive producer, 62, wrote along with a photo of her smiling during her Golden Buzzer-winningauditionin season 16.

'AGT' 's Simon Cowell Reveals What It Takes to Be a Champion: 'If You're Not Good, Just Give It Up'

Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImageFromAmerican Idolto theGot Talentfranchise,Simon Cowellhas seen every kind of performer.But with the new spin-off show,AGT: The Champions, Cowell is sifting through former season winners and fan favorites to crown one act as the best of the world.“How do you describe someone as a champion? The thought process was who wants to be on the show and compete again? And more importantly who could be better the second time around?

'AGT' 's Simon Cowell Warns Singer 'Don't Be Cocky' Before Asking Him to Learn New Audition Song

Simon Cowellhas seen his fair share of bad auditions throughout his time onAmerica’s Got Talent— and singer Lamont Landers could’ve had one of them. The 27-year-old full-time musician’s talent nearly was overlooked had it not been for Cowell’s coaching on Tuesday’s episode. Landers, who is from Huntsville, Alabama, nervously began singing Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” before Cowell raised his hand to stop the audition. “Lamont, I’m guessing you play with a band?

'AGT' 's Susan Boyle Opens Up About Her Journey from 'Unknown Lady with a Cat' to Superstar

Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC Before she became an international singing sensation,Susan Boylewas a onetime unemployed, self-proclaimed “cat lady” living alone with her beloved Pebbles. Her life changed overnight after her unforgettable season 3Britain’s Got Talentaudition in 2009. “The biggest change was really the instant fame, from being a wee unknown lady with a cat in Scotland to being recognized wherever I went,” she tells PEOPLE about her rise to fame. “It took some getting used to.

'AGT' 's Terry Crews on 'Olympic Level' Golden Buzzer-Winning Act: 'I Was Watching Human Beings Fly!'

Photo: Art Streiber/NBC “I was up close and personal with the shrapnel that flew off the stage and I can tell you the power is real,” he remembers. “I was ducking and dodging the whole time! It was so exhilarating! These guys were flying around 40 feet in the air — I was watching human beings actually fly! I had to push the Golden Buzzer because it was truly Olympic level.